Storage tank construction



Nov. 6, 1951 J. T. SPARLING STORAGE TANK CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1-947 2 7': Ewen jbsepl TSparZz'ry.

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STORAGE TANK CONSTRUCTION Filed March 5, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 l'hwenior:

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Nov. 6, 1951 J. T. SPARLING STORAGE TANK CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 5, 1947 .Ezvenior:

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STORAGE TANK CONSTRUCTION J oseph 'l. Spar-ling, Los Ang.eles, Calif. Application March 3, 1947, Serial No. 731,999

The princi al Object ofthe presenti'nvention is to l'pr'ovide a tank structure "which is initially com osed of section and the "sections are 's'ubs'e quently setup,"bolted and welded 'tog'etherthus saving considerable time and labor. Another 'ob- .ject isthe production of atank' in whichip'a'nels or sections constituting a've'r'tical wall-or shell are secured together by uninterrupted welded'joints extending vertically 'from bottom'to 'top. Said panels or sectionsmaybe of even'thickness from bottom to top or maybe in the form of aseries of members successively diminishing in thickness upwardly, or maygradually taper in thickness from bottom to top. Other objects and advantages oi the invention will'be apparentfromthe following description.

n'the drawings forming part of this-specificationfFig. 1 is a plan of a portion of myirnprove'd tank with the roof removed and showing pairs of erecting and dismantling runners resembling channel members in place for bolting'thevertical abutting edges of the side wallpan'els or sections juxtaposed in position in readinessto be welded; ""iew of 'aportion 'ofthe tank illustrated in Fig. ljshowingfohlyo'ne pairof the erectingand'dismantling runners (Fig. 3is a side elevational viewof a detail at anenlarged' scale showing pjortionsor'the shell sections or panels assembled and held with"their'abiitting vertical edges "juxtaposed in readiness 'for welding by a pair" of erecting "and *dismantling channel runners; Fig.4 is a "plan looking down upon the "detail-portion or the tank shown in -Fig.- 3 I Fig. 5 i'saWeiticalsection taken approximately on the line 5-- 5 ofFigf*3; Figs G-and '7 areverticalsecti'on's' like in-Fig. 5 showing alternative types of tank' seet-ions o'r panels towhich :the channel runners are shown applied to facilitate erecting-and disl nantling Fig."8 is-a plan-army improved tank, a -portionortheroof paneling being removed -to expose the radiating roof rafters which are employed in the tank structure; Fig. 9 isan eleva- 'tion in section-looking ataportion of the-structure shown in Fig. 8;:Fig.::10-1is aschematic elevatioiialview of a detailportionnf the: roof structure illustrating the manner-in 'which the setting up -channels are afterwards used as a. roof rafters; *Eig. l 1isa sectional detail illustrating a construction of' the setting 'u'psachannel runners in which longitudinal sections thereof secured bytheir ends are'employed ;iE'ig. 12 is a: section of a detail illustrating anoth'er method' of construction which ,1 Claim. (Cl. 220-1) 2 may be-empl'oyedat-timesin thesetting up operation; Fig. 13 is a typical cross section of a detail showing apair of setting up vertical 'channel'runners applied "to abutting portions of a pair of sidewall panels orwallsectionsof the tank-and a welding torch applied in-use by the-channel runners the vertical seams between said panels Fig. 14 is 'a'front elevation'of a detail showing the application of a staging or bracket structure to the erecting channel'runners for manual support; Fig-15 is a side elevation of the structureshown in Fig. l l'jFig. 16 is an inside elevationof a detail of the tank-structure showing the use and-construction employed for securing thevertical abutting portions of the "tankpanels or section together by an outside vertical field weld;'Fig. 1'7 is a section taken on theline 'l1l1"of Fig.-16;"Fig. 18 is "a 'crosssection' of 'a' detail similar to'Fig. 17 showing the application of the vertical'bac'k up strap for cooperation with the welding joint, said section being takenonthe line'I-8l8 of Fig. 19, and Fig. 19 he section taken on the'line l9'l9 of Fig. 18.

Referring to'the drawings-wherein like ordinals I designate like parts,'it can be observed that'the 'tankshell is denotedby reference characterand is of upright cylindrical .or "curved'form having comparatively thin metal'side panels B; floor-sections C and roof'sectionsD, whichareassenibled, set up and welded together in aisubstantialman 'ner'so as to hold fluidand'solid-materials and withstand the pressure thereof without leaking.

Preferably the weldedpanels and sections of the shell "are prefabricated and constructed of suitable uninterrupted or sectional length vertically so as to provide continuous vertical seams or joints It at predetermined circumferential intervals apart, said seams extending'from the floor to the ceiling of the tank. These panels orsections are adapted to be assembled and welded together for use in'the field or at the location at which the tank is .to beused. Also the panelsor sections are adapted to be dismantledandreconstructed in tank form at a 'new location through the use of improved means provided-for thesetting up and dismantling.operation as willbe hereinafter described. It is here notedthat-the-side panels or sectionsB of thershell as shownin Figs. 2 3 and 5 are arranged ini-theirsuccessive courses not in break' joint pattern as is .customarylbut with perpendicular field-seams-lll from'bottomto top. Alsothe panels orsections:B'arerespectively of reduced thickness successively upwardly so as to'economize the amount and costof necessary material for holding the contents. of the tank.

In Fig. 6 the side panels are shown of uninterrupted length and uniform thickness upwardly, and in Fig. '7 the side panels are shown of uninterrupted length but of gradually tapering thickness upwardly so as to economize the amount of material which is necessary to effectively compensate lateral pressure exerted by the contents of the tank;

With one exception no uniqueness occurs in design or constructionprocedure in the matter of the bottom or roof sheet or plate (sometimes called deck), the exception being, as hereinafter particularly described, that in dismantling, segments of the bottom or floor are cut in a series of chord lines circumferentially (Fig. 8) each interchangeable segment being left welded to its contiguous shell section thus maintaining curvature of the latter and facilitating and expediting re-erection or construction of the tank.

The bottom or floor C as shown of the tank is of circular shape to the outer peripheral edge portion of which the lowermost end portions of the side panels or sections are tightly secured by welding at l l (Figs. 6 and 11) The bottom being completed on a proper support or surface, a circle is inscribed corresponding with the inside diameter of the side wall of the shell and clip angles 12 (Fig. 3) are welded down with vertical leg portions thereof coinciding with the inscribed circle, facing outwardly as shown in Fig. 5. The spacing circumferentially of these clip'angles I2 is such that one is centered at the bottom of each vertical seam between the side panels or sections,

and one or more about evenly spaced along the arc of each panel (Figs. 2 and 3).

In erecting or dismantling the tank structure a pair of vertically disposed parallel channel runners E-E, nearly equal in length to the height of the side wall shell of the tank is secured to the contiguous side edge portions on the inner surfaces of adjacent side panels or sections on either side of the vertical seam or joint i0. Figs. 3, and 13 show portions of two shell sections assembled firmly in and is typical of this erecting or dismantling feature. To the shell side sections are field tack welded the supporting brackets i l5, their long dimensions being disposed horizontally and about radial. The channel runners EE are secured to the brackets l5 by bolts l6, back'to back with a space between for supporting, guiding and applying a cutting torch such as F, indicated in Fig. 13, but not connecting so as to provide a vertical, passage between the runners back of the seam ill. for the free application of the tip of the cutting torch. Adjusting bolts such as I! through the webs of the channel runners servev tohold the vertical abutting edges of the side panels or sections in close formation during the cutting operation of the torch when the tank is dismantled. In a somewhat similar manner the abutting edges of the members of the seam Ill are held in juxtaposed position by the runners during the setting up operation so that said seams can be externally welded. This method of supporting the side panels or sections of the shell is equally applicable when applied to the types shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7. Any number of the brackets l5 may be used to securely hold the side members of the shell with their adjacent side edges suitably juxtaposed for the welding application. Spacing tubes such as 18 (Fig. 3) may be used on the adjusting bolts Hi to define the adjustment of the members which form the seams (0 in each instance.

The space between the runners is preferably sufficient for a double tipped angle cutting torch so that in dismantling, a V for the weld in the ensuing erection may be formed incident to the shell being cut through. The cutting torch of any sort (a single tipped one is indicated in Fig. 13), may have a simple glider l9 attached to it so that the runners serve as guides to provide a straight out from top to buttom or vice-versa. In welding during the setting up operation it is not contemplated to use any glider.

, After the bolts I! are adjusted to give the device the desired or required gap for the vertical welds, the top angle band 20 may be next welded,

. after completing the inside seam weld, if any,

down from the top a distance at least equal to the vertical leg of the angle band 20. The adjusting bolts I1 and their spacers I8 may also be used to support a staging bracket as hereinafter described. As the vertical seams are welded the bolts H are removed one at a time as interference with the torch occurs and may be replaced when inside weld in the vicinity of each is completed. The bottom to the shell fillets inside and outside should be completed in the proper order of procedure except in the case of the former at and in immediate vicinity of the vertical runners after these have been removed from their vertical temporary positions, the gaps so left should be welded.

Sometimes as alternate to clip angles i2 a base may be employed. In this construction the lower ends of the runners are clipped at 22 (Fig. 11) to accommodate member 2 l For the condition of single vertical field weld between panels or sections it may be an advantage to include a vertical back-strap 23 of the same or other metal oralloy on the sheet as shown in Figs. 16 to 19 inclusive. This may be tack welded, and if required or desired continuous welded after the vertical runners are removed. On the other hand it may be required or desired to remove the strapv in which case it should be of different material than the shell, such as copper or aluminum in the case of a steel shell. Thus the strap 23 shown in Figs. 18 and I9 is temporarily secured by wood or metal wedges 25 behind the bolts I! since for this condition there would be no need of moving brackets when outside welding is proceeding, there would be ,no. interference with the bracket or parts thereof.

The staging bracket shown in Figs. 14 and 15 is detachably supported by the adjusting bolts l1 and channels E-E' on the inside wall of the shell. These staging brackets serve to conveniently support a man during welding, cutting or setting up operation. Planks such as 26 constituting staging are supportedlby the horizontal support 21 and the hanger 28, said support and hanger being hooked over the bolts l1 and the hanger having a longitudinal turn buckle adjusting element 29.

Compliance with usual codes relative to roof structures usually necessitate a sufl'icient number of rafters to provide a pair of runners, at every vertical seam without the ,wall panels or sections being too Wide for trucks or railway transporting equipment, unless in exceptional casesv the diameter is small compared withthe height. This .will sometimes occur in silo construction which may then require a few shapes of some sort for erection purposes only,-but will not detract from the chief features of my improvement.

In the usual construction of the roof, a vertical central supporting column 30 is employed by which the inner ends of the radiating rafters 3| are suitably supported, their outer ends being supported above the clip angles 32 and even with the upper edge of the side wall of the shell. The roof panels or sections D of suitable shape are welded together and to the top angle band 20 so as to assist in providing a light weight enclosure. The members constituting the radiating rafters of the roof may be used as the vertical runners which are employed for setting up or dismantling the side shell portions or wall of the tank.

In very large tanks the rafters will in certain instances require support between the side wall of the shell and center by one or more columns. For this purpose supporting girders 35 are typically shown in Fig. 10, supported by the auxiliary columns 36. In this case each rafter as erected may or will consist of a plurality of channels either lapped and bolted or joined longitudinally by a splice plate or plates such as 31.

In the case of the shell being very much higher than the length of a single channel a plurality of channel sections may be spliced and bolted together as shown in Fig. 12 by the splice members 38. As an alternate method of construction and erecting high tanks for use where the diameter is relatively small and particularly where the location is isolated there might be insumcient rafter channels for use as temporary vertical runners for the entire height. To overcome this condition I provide an intermediate angle ring 39 which in the illustration shown in Fig. 12 serves as backing for a horizontal welded joint in offset or staggered relation to the vertical seams. In the latter event a clip angle can be used. In either case the angle member is shown in section at 39 (Fig. 12), and on it are erected the channel runners such as E-E and procedure thereafter is as hereinbefore described for Figs. 3-5 etc.

Among advantages attained by my improved tank structure and method of facilitating the erection and dismantling thereof are the followmg:

1. Field welding and erection or dismantling equipment are minimized.

2. The erection of tanks is expedited, facilitated and simplified.

3. Labor and time employed for erecting or dismantling is reduced to a minimum.

4. By providing runners in conjunction with the vertical seams which function as guides for a cutting torch effectively assist in quickly and accurately cutting the side wall of the tank shell into sections, the numbers of which can be easily and quickly reassembled and reconstructed into a serviceable tank.

5. By providing simple and eiTective staging in conjunction with the erecting and dismantling operations the erection and dismantling of the tank structure is simplified, whereby time, labor.

of construction is increased and the assembly and dismantling operation are facilitated and 7. By providing panels or sections of tapering thickness continuously from the bottom to the top of the tank, said tapering being in corresponding proportion to the pressure of fluid or material held in the tank, strength of construction is consequently increased and the amount of material necessarily used is greatly reduced.

It is understood that the appended claim is to be accorded a range of equivalents commensurate in scope with the advance made over the prior art.

I claim:

In a tank structure, a base, an upright secured to the center of the base, a plurality of longitudinally curved panel units mounted on the base on end and extending one above the other with their vertical meeting edges in alinement with the meeting edges of adjacent upper and lower panel units, lugs secured to the vertical edges of the panel units and extending inwardly in spaced relation from one another and from the vertical edges of said panel units, structural bars connecting corresponding lugs of each superposed panel unit, said structural bars being arranged vertically in pairs arranged one on each side of the vertical seam of the superposed panel units, threaded fasteners connecting each pair of structural members and arranged in spaced apart relation throughout the length thereof, spacing members mounted on certain of said threaded fasteners to hold said structural members and the vertical edges of the panel units in predetermined spaced apart relation, structural members connecting the uppermost course of panel units with their inner ends supported on the central upright and a sectional roofing structure supported by said last-named structural members, said vertical structural members being arranged internally of the tank structure and in spaced apart pairs to provide a guide to accommodate a welding torch while the vertical seam is being welded.

JOSEPH T. SPARLING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

